Cultivating for a hundred lifetimes to ascension Chapter 1390: 747: Devilish Thought Invades the Body (Part 2)

“Master, save me!” Mountain Dragon Little Gold shouted desperately while rushing forward, ripping off the tentacles that wrapped around him.

“Stay calm! Hurry and channel your demonic power to hold back the devilish thought.”

Thanks to his master’s prompt, Little Gold managed to steady himself at last, and his form expanded massively by dozens of times, dark gold markings emerging across his skin. In a flash, he became a towering dark gold behemoth standing seven or eight zhang high.

An immense force burst forth abruptly, sending out intense yellow radiance in every direction. This glow acted like sharp edges, slicing through the shadowy tentacles.

Right after, following a fierce twisting of his flesh, every tear mended itself immediately.

The devilish thought that had infiltrated his form got forcefully contained by a surge of demonic power, rendering it unable to seize control for the time being.

Yet, this thread of devilish thought proved exceptionally bizarre. Despite the suppression, it kept eroding its surroundings relentlessly.

Demonic power, divine sense, body, lineage, and everything physical or ethereal all fell under the “corrosion” of the devilish thought, slowly turning into even more malevolent dark grime.

Zhao Xuanjing shared a symbiotic bond with Little Gold, their existences linked closely, nearly as one entity.

Thus, during this dire crisis, Zhao Xuanjing swiftly shifted half of the devilish thought over to Little Gold’s body, barely escaping the grasp of his primordial spirit by the invading force.

Still, such an approach offered only short-term respite. Without purging the devilish thought entirely, his primordial spirit would inevitably serve as its vessel in the end.

“Master, are you okay!” Little Gold let out a relieved breath and quickly turned his gaze to his master.

“I’m holding up right now, though if this lingers too long, I might not.” Zhao Xuanjing masked his shock, keeping his face composed as he replied.

Little Gold gained a measure of comfort, yet with traces of dread, he inquired, “Just now, what in the world was that…”

Zhao Xuanjing let out a heavy sigh, “Sigh, in the end, I let my guard down too much! That wisp of devilish thought probably originated from a Tribulation Demon Venerable. My primordial spirit bears its stain now. I fear I won’t last much longer.”

A Tribulation Demon Venerable matches a Human Clan Tribulation Crossing Venerable, split into realms of one, two, or three tribulations.

According to the Taiyi Merit List, eliminating a one-tribulation Demon Venerable grants three hundred Heavenly Merits.

And a single Heavenly Merit matches one hundred Great Merits, sufficient to claim a True Form Spiritual Treasure such as the Taiyi Demon Slaying Sword!

This highlights the immense value of Heavenly Merits!

“This is bad, what can we do!” Little Gold leaped about in panic and fretfully proposed, “Master, let’s rush back to the Spirit Realm at once. Yellow Dragon Venerable, being your master, must possess a method to resolve the crisis of the devilish thought entering the body.”

“That seems our only option!” Zhao Xuanjing gave a faint nod after hearing this, though he harbored his doubts inwardly.

Even though Yellow Dragon Venerable served as his master, their bond remained distant. Seeking his aid would doubtless demand a hefty cost.

No matter the toll, Zhao Xuanjing fretted that Yellow Dragon Venerable could already be deployed to the front lines, rendering him difficult to locate.

Zhao Xuanjing had no intention of voicing these concerns to Little Gold, since it would serve no purpose and merely heighten unnecessary tension.

Meanwhile, Little Gold eased up and promptly signaled below.

A massive yellow glow ascended from the earth, enveloping Baili Shouguang and the remaining human cultivators within its beams, propelling them rapidly toward the pair.

Pop, pop, pop!

Baili Shouguang and his companions experienced a sharp ache in their skulls, pulling them from their stupor.

Once alert again, a crisp, youthful voice rang out: “All of you, pay attention…”

…

Far inside the Yuxu Cave Mansion, thunderous energies roiled like a vast sea, surging upward and subtly revealing strands of law-infused divine radiance.

The Taiyi Merit Stele positioned itself at the heart of the Jade Pond, encircled by vital source energies resembling luminous mists, silently releasing an unfathomable Dao essence.

Zhao Sheng positioned himself cross-legged in front of the Immortal Stele, lids shut in contemplation, grasping the essence of Five Elements metamorphosis.

As his mental focus shifted, the thunderous ocean spawned tigers, leopards, dragons, serpents… blooms, fowl, bugs, fish, and every manner of earthly being, all rendered with striking realism and a hint of odd liveliness.

Without realizing the passage of time, the Taiyi Merit Stele flared with intense luminescence, its piercing glow flooding the cave mansion akin to molten silver.

Zhao Sheng snapped his eyes open and directed his sight toward the Immortal Stele.

In that instant, two streaks of swift light emerged from the core of the radiant blaze, morphing swiftly into one tall and one diminutive silhouette, none other than Zhao Xuanjing and his attendant Little Gold.

Zhao Sheng stood up, a grin beginning to form on his features, only for it to fade completely the very next moment, his stare shifting to wary hesitation.

Evidently, he had detected the anomaly afflicting Zhao Xuanjing and Little Gold.

“Jing Ancestor, you… ”

At these words, Zhao Xuanjing realized concealment was futile, so he stated plainly, “I fell victim to an unexpected assault and had to pull back for the moment. Rest assured, though. I’ve managed to contain the Devilish Thought temporarily, keeping my life out of immediate peril.”

Beside him, Mountain Dragon Little Gold regarded his master with evident concern in his gaze.

Having heard this, Zhao Sheng drew in a long breath, fully cognizant of Zhao Xuanjing’s formidable prowess. His inability to retreat to the Spirit Realm underscored the sheer might and peril of the Devilish Thought in question!

To such a degree that it prompted a Half-Immortal of the Void, close to ultimate completion, to mention “fear for his life.”

Zhao Sheng’s mind whirled swiftly, and his eyes shot forth twin rays of Divine Light, his Original Spirit trailing along to settle upon Zhao Xuanjing without delay.

After a single breath, a spark of alarm appeared in his eyes. He withdrew the Divine Light then, crying out in astonishment, “Such a dreadful Devilish Thought! What nightmarish being did you cross paths with in there? Perhaps a Cave Void Realm Demon Emperor?”

A Cave Void Realm Demon Emperor among the Alien Demon Clan equates to a Human Clan Integration Realm Great Power. Yet, its vexing qualities surpass those of human counterparts by far.

“Oh! It proved tenfold more fearsome than that; this encounter—”

“Little Gold!”

Mountain Dragon Little Gold started to vent his grievances but got cut off abruptly by his master.

Zhao Xuanjing lifted his gaze to Zhao Sheng and exhaled softly, “My oversight caused this mishap.”

Following that, he succinctly described his recent ordeals.

Once finished, Zhao Sheng grasped the full extent of the Devilish Thought’s insidious challenge within them!

Without exaggeration, had Mountain Dragon Little Gold not absorbed half of the Devilish Thought, Zhao Xuanjing could well have fallen under its “possession,” emerging as a fresh vessel for the Alien Demon.

“Fear not! I’ll head straight to the Spirit-controlling Immortal Sect; surely a remedy exists there.” Noting his ashen look, Zhao Xuanjing offered reassurance unbidden.

Zhao Sheng experienced some ease from this, and right as he prepared to respond, a sudden idea dawned, recalling a key detail.

“Hold on, Jing Ancestor, stay a bit longer. I possess a Demon Refining Heart Technique that could prove useful.”

He understated it greatly; this “Demon Refining Heart Technique” derived from a True Immortal’s legacy, potent enough to purify even True Immortal Demon Thoughts, much less a mere trace of Tribulation Demon Thought.

Zhao Xuanjing showed clear surprise at this revelation, skeptical of the Demon Refining Heart Technique’s efficacy as described, yet figuring it cost nothing to hear more.

Without waiting for questions, Zhao Sheng projected a Divine Thought, encompassing the complete Demon Refining Heart Technique along with his personal understandings.

This method, spanning more than a thousand characters, brimmed with invaluable wisdom, its depths profoundly elusive!

Upon absorbing the vast knowledge from the Divine Thought entirely, Zhao Xuanjing’s face lit up with profound emotion.

This arrived as a true deliverance from the brink of doom!

Zhao Xuanjing hadn’t anticipated such fortune striking so unexpectedly.

Through his discernment, he readily recognized the extraordinary worth of this “Demon Refining Heart Technique”!

Zhao Xuanjing cast an appreciative look at Zhao Sheng, thanks forming on his tongue only to be held back, settling instead for a firm nod.

Zhao Sheng picked up on the gesture, breaking into a grin, “No time like the present! Shall I stand guard for you?”

“I’m deeply grateful!” Zhao Xuanjing inclined his head, adding little else.

Little Gold, linked mentally to his master and feeling his elation, bounded upward in thrilled delight right there.

Shortly thereafter, Zhao Xuanjing settled cross-legged suspended in the air, murmuring archaic spells, their deep cadences echoing through the space.

Brilliance flared about him, amid which swirls of ashen devilish vapors twisted and streamed.

Now, bunches of Will Light Flame orbited nearby, steadily devouring wisps of devilish smoke in sync with the chants, gradually distilling its core.

At first, Zhao Xuanjing kept a serene visage, but shortly the Devilish Thought lashed back savagely against the Will Light Flame’s burn.

His features soon warped in agony, torment etched across his countenance, his forehead creasing deeply.

Along with this, filaments of black Devilish Thought kept seeping forth from his frame.